Every 10th of January in the streets of Benin’s cities, a special show takes place. Songs and dances, brass bands, trumpets and drums are the manifestations of the whole day. The release of sacred deities such as the “oro”, the “zangbéto”, the “kouvito” … is remarkable: it is the festival of Vodoun.
“From North to South, from East to West, every January 10, Benin proudly celebrates its rich cultural and cultic heritage through the valorization of endogenous religions” wrote President Patrice Talon this Monday, January 10, 2022, on his Facebook page, wishing a good feast of endogenous religions to all Beninese people. Indeed, established in 1992 by the former head of state, Nicephore Soglo and framed by a decree in 1997 by the late President Mathieu Kérékou, the vodoun festival has been celebrated in Benin for more than twenty years on January 10 each year.
Thus, Vodoun occupies a place of choice in the identity of the country. This year, it is the historical beach of the city of Ouidah (Gate of No Return) that hosted the official events. The said ceremony was attended by several dignitaries, followers of Vodun, Bokonon (priests of the Fa), crowned heads, political and administrative personalities including the Minister of Tourism, Culture and Arts.
Vodoun, pride of Benin
Considered as the origin of Vodoun, the pantheon of Benin gathers more than 200 gods. This festival has its origins in a past full of history. It is “the identity showcase of most peoples of the Gulf of Benin in general and their diaspora,” said Minister of Tourism, Culture and Arts Jean Michel Abimbola, in his speech. Vodoun is thus characteristic of Benin. This is what the President of the Republic himself confirmed in his message. “…this ancestral heritage that we are working to develop, reveal us to the world. We can be proud of it” he insists.
Vodoun, far from clichés
Even though it has been attacked, the Vodoun festival has survived and allows the numerous communities that worship it to celebrate ancestral rites and to consolidate the cultural development of Benin.
“Far from the caricatured image given by Hollywood cinema, rid of the label of Satanism that has long been stuck to it, the Vodun has asserted itself over time as a multidimensional source of African otherness,” said Jean Michel Abimbola. Vodoun, for a long time a victim of contempt, reveals itself today as the answer to the problems of many communities, not only African and its diaspora but also of many other countries. “Despite the hostility, the lead cover and the contempt it has suffered, this religion is still alive, practiced by many Afro-descendants who have found in it the answers to their identity questions, the appeasement to their spiritual anguish. Claims the Minister of Tourism, Culture and Arts of Benin.
With the enthusiasm that vodoun arouses among researchers through scientific work, the curiosity of filmmakers through documentaries and tourists, Benin has the ambition to make it its Saudi Arabia. “And Benin, which is the origin, dreams of becoming the Mecca, the world capital, to attract the crowd of followers, dignitaries, researchers, creators and tourists,” reassured the Minister.
“Destination Benin
Vodoun at the heart of President Patrice Talon’s PAG 2 has many people dreaming. Indeed, Benin’s ambition to enhance its Vodoun heritage does not change. Minister Abimbola mentioned “efforts articulated around a dozen projects as structuring as ambitious in order to put on orbit the “Destination Benin”. Among these projects, we can note the one entitled “Route of the convents and the Vodun Museum“, which aims to highlight the complementarity of these two places. One (convent) allows the initiated to live the cults, the rituals and the other, (museum) to the tourists to discover, a variety of knowledge on the subject, images and representations in support. “It is about showing the complexity of the spirituality of our ancestors, to pay tribute to the way they practice their religions” revealed the Minister of Tourism, Culture and Arts, Jean Michel Abimbola.
Rich in artistic paintings and speeches, this 27th edition of the Vodoun festival in Benin was held in strict compliance with the measures barriers; covid-19 obliges. The demonstrations continued in the convents with prayers for the nation.
